Wednesday, October 30, 2013

New Approaches To Global Politics: State and New Centralities

Nowadays, the Global Politics is undergoing significant change. In the context of international relation, there seems to have emerged a New Landscape, which doesn't cause major changes in the international landscape. However, those changes are embedded in huge changes of global politics. Globalization is one of the changes which should be taken thoroughly into account. Globalization, in this context, is somehow the outcome of market-related actors to enhance and maintain its market position. To reach this goal, things are to be produced: new technologies, new tool for capital market, commodification of asset and so on.
Besides, taking a perfunctory glance at the term “Inter-National” and “Transnational” is somehow similar, but these two terms are different. “Inter-National” means any actions or activities existing, operating, or done between states. On the other hand, “Transnational” refers to actions or activities between actors in different states by passing the government, but there is not any government’s involvement.
Governance is a common feature or interaction at all levels of government and somehow between institution at these level as well. Thus, the state power and control are very significant, and it must have interacting among different type of level. As a result, there are three type of displacement of sate power and control. The first one is moving downward which focuses on regions, localities and community. The second is moving outward, which deals with NGOs, corporatization, and privatization. The third level is moving upward, which focuses on emerging role of international actors and organizations.
The Moving Downward: At this point, it’s very important for the state to decentralize its power and control effectively and adequately to the local institution. By doing this, the local departments can decide things independently without spending time to ask for approval from the central government. In this case of state-local decentralization could probably give the communities more influence on financial responsibility and also it does encourage people to get more involved with their neighborhood.
The Moving Out: This type of power displacement refers to the moving of power and capabilities previously or traditionally owned by the state to institutions and organizations. This can contribute significant advantages for the state towards her people. By doing this, some organizations can fulfill some necessary tasks which the state will surely implement, so it can reduce the state-budget expenditure. Moreover, privatization should be also taken for granted. By privatizing some companies or services, the state can obtain an amount of money in case that state is really in need of money to help its reducing its debts. Meanwhile, it also helps to promote democracy because the state won’t control everything, and this action encourages people to do the investment as well.
The Moving Upward: This type deals with the emerging role of international organization. These international organizations are playing very important role in the international stage which state should also be part of it. State dares to surrender part of its power and sovereignty to such transnational body in a number of policy sections, which aims at the state’s interest. Being part of ASEAN member states  is a very good choice for Cambodia because it can use the name of ASEAN to have strong voices in the international state, but it also does have some problems related to the country decision making.

From my own perspective and in the Cambodian context, I think that moving upward and moving outward, Cambodian government is doing a good job. However, the moving downward, Cambodian government is very hesitating to diffuse power and control towards her local and communal institutions and the local communities have to ask for every decision and approval from the central government. To me, it seems weird and frustrated as one of the citizens. 

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